i need your help with nap i appreciate the time you've given me. >> a pretty big operation and we're happy to have you here and ask if you would give us your view on the recovery efforts an what the damage looks like from the m.t.a. >> thank you for inviting me to testify before the committee on this critically important issue. i'm the chairman and c.e.o. of the new york transportation authority which is the largest transportation provider in the country. every day the m.t.a. moves 8.5 million safely and securely to their jobs, schools, medical appointments, you name it we get them there. it also includes the new york city buses, the long island railroad, and metro north, as well as seven bridges and two tunnels. along with other transportation systems represented on this panel the m.t.a. is the life blood of a $1.4 trillion regional economy. it makes up 11% of the g.d.p. of the entire country. so over a month ago hurricane sandy brought our system to its knees. we experienced a level of destruction that is unprecedented in our 108-year history. there were eight flooded tunnels, 12 s